Ramadan fasting schedule for the year. Suhoor and Iftar (morning and evening meals)

The month of Ramadan is the most honorable and important of the 12 months of the lunar calendar, according to which Muslims around the world live.

When does fasting begin and how long does it take?

Ramadan (also called Ramadan) is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, which is 10 or 11 days less solar year... For this reason, the days of Muslim religious holidays each year are shifted relative to Gregorian calendar.

Accordingly, Ramadan, which lasts from 29 to 30 days, depending on the lunar calendar, falls on different numbers... In 2018, Ramadan lasts 30 days.

The day, according to the Muslim calendar, begins at the moment of sunset, and not at midnight, as in the Gregorian calendar.

Ramadan in 2018 begins on the evening of May 17 with sunset and ends on the evening of June 16, 2018, after which the Eid al-Fitr holiday (the Turkic name "Eid al-Fitr") will begin.

Moreover, in different Muslim countries, Ramadan can begin in different time, and it depends on the method of astronomical calculation or direct observation of the phases of the moon.

Ramadan is translated from Arabic as "hot", "scorching heat". Every devout Muslim in this month proves the strength of his faith, thanks to the complete rejection of the most basic human needs during the hot days. During this period, the faithful must free themselves from various thoughts that can defile a person.

Muslims believe that the spiritual and physical fasting of Ramadan can significantly improve the state of a person's spirit. In the Turkic languages, this post is called Uraza.

Fasting in Ramadan

Throughout the month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to observe a number of strict rules, one of which is fasting, the purpose of which is to rethink life, purify the soul and body.

During fasting, one should pray a lot and daily confirm one's intention (niyat) to participate in this holiday in the name of Allah. You should also refrain from evil thoughts and intentions, beware of defamatory actions and impious people.

Fasting begins at the beginning of dawn and ends after sunset.

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours, smoking, including hookah or other mixtures, intimacy.

It is considered a violation of the fast to swallow any liquid, including water while bathing, as well as skipping niyata. At the same time, blood donation, bathing, kissing, and the administration of drugs through injections are allowed.

The main purpose of such a fast is to strengthen the faith of every believing Muslim, as well as to determine the life values and, of course, to be spiritually enriched by daily prayer and by refraining from temptation. Practice shows that fasting has curative action on the body.

Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam. Every adult Muslim is obliged to observe it. The exceptions are children, sick people, pregnant and lactating women, travelers, warriors, and the elderly who are physically unable to fast. But it is obligatory to reimburse the fast in another, more favorable period.

If a Muslim breaks the fast, then he must pay the needy a certain amount in money or food, thus making up for the fast.

With the onset of Ramadan, it is customary among Muslims to congratulate each other in words or in the form of cards, because it was this holiday that laid the foundation for the birth of the holy book of the Koran, which plays a special role in the life of every believer.

Ramadan is a time to earn eternal Paradise, when many deeds can be rewarded with great rewards. These include fasting, five-fold prayer, "Taraweeh" prayer, sincere supplication-du "a, iftar (breaking the fast), pre-dawn meal (sahur), donations and many other good deeds and deeds.

When the Qur'an was revealed

The first revelation of the Qur'an was revealed on the night of Lailat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power and Predestination. This is the most important night of the year for every Muslim.

Muhammad turned 40 when his prophetic mission began.

Before the sending of the Quran, the Prophet Muhammad often retired and indulged in prayer in the Hira cave near Mecca, where the first surah of the Quran was revealed to him in 610.

One of the angels, Jebrail, came to the Prophet Muhammad by the order of Allah, and said to Him: "Read." The word "read" means "Koran". With these words, the sending of the Quran began - that night the angel Jebrail transmitted the first five verses from Surah Clot.

Revealed Quran

The mission lasted until the death of Muhammad - the Great Quran was sent down to the prophet for 23 years.

According to sources, Laylat al-Qadr is the night when angels descend to earth and the prayer pronounced on this night is much more powerful than all the prayers in the year.

In the Qur'an, this Night is dedicated to the whole surah "Inna Anzalnagu", which says that the Night of Power is better than a thousand months in which it is not. This is the night when the fate of each person is predetermined in heaven, his life path, difficulties and trials that lie ahead, and if you spend this night in prayers, in comprehending your deeds and possible mistakes then Allah will forgive him his sins and be merciful.

Regarding the date of the night of the Predestination, the Quran says that it falls on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan. Therefore, it is considered the most correct to devote all the last 10 nights of Ramadan to prayers. Some sources indicate that Laylat al-Qadr falls on the 27th of Ramadan.

Respect for the ninth month of the lunar calendar is repeatedly mentioned in the Qur'an. Muslims call the fast "mubarak", that is, blessed. It is believed that the value of a good deed performed at this time increases several hundred times.

For example, a small pilgrimage (umrah) is equated in value with a hajj (visiting Mecca), and voluntary prayer is rewarded in the same way as obligatory prayer. Ramadan received special status in 622.

What is celebrated after the Ramadan fast

Ramadan ends with the second great holiday - Eid al Fitr or the so-called Feast of Conversation. The holiday begins after sunset on the last day of Ramadan and lasts three days.

The Feast of Conversation occurs on the first day of the month of Shawwal, which occurs upon completion holy Ramadan... In 2018, Eid al Fitr will be celebrated from 17 to 19 May.

The holiday begins with the onset of the time for the evening prayer - from this time it is advisable for all Muslims to read takbir (the formula for the exaltation of Allah). Takbir is recited before the festive prayer is performed on the day of the holiday.

Muslims at this time should indulge in reflections on spiritual values and rethinking life during the period of fasting. This day is considered a holiday of salvation from hell, as well as a day of reconciliation, love and friendly handshakes. On this day, it is customary to visit the disadvantaged and take care of the elderly.

It is advisable to spend the night on the holiday in vigil, in the all-night service to Allah. On the day of the holiday, it is advisable to wear clean clothes, put on a finger silver ring, perfume yourself with incense and, after eating a little, go to the mosque early to perform the festive prayer.

On this day, Muslims distribute alms to those in need, congratulate each other and wish the Almighty to fast, visit relatives, neighbors, acquaintances, friends, receive guests.

The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.

The holy Muslim month of Ramadan (Ramadan), in 2017, begins in the evening May 25th with the sunset. That is, from the night of the specified date and the post from the morning of May 26th and ends in the evening June 24, 2017

In fact, Ramadan is referred to among the peoples as "Ramadan" and is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. Each year, the start date of the month changes in relation to the Gregorian calendar.

The month of Ramadan (Ramadan) is the most important and most honorable month-holiday for all Muslim believers throughout the world, the end of which is celebrated as a holiday and in 2017 it may have been established 26 May 2017 since the new moon comes out at about 4 hours 20 minutes on 06/25/2017 Makka time. Thus, Ramadan this year is equal to 30 days (so far according to preliminary data).

ESSENCE: The month of Ramadan is considered mandatory for Muslims as the month of fasting (saum) and is one of the five pillars of Islam. During the month of Ramadan, devout Muslims in the daytime refuse to eat, drink, smoke and intimacy in order to atone for their sins. In other words, the meaning of fasting is a test of the will for the triumph of the spirit over the desires of the flesh, concentration of attention on one's own the inner world with the aim of identifying and eliminating sinful inclinations and repentance for committed sins, the struggle with their pride for the sake of humility with the will of the Creator. The length of the month is 29 or 30 days and depends on the lunar calendar. Fasting begins at the beginning of dawn (after the morning adhan) and ends after sunset (after the evening adhan).

Estimated time of post on 05/28/2017 (schedule)TownFajrMaghreb Astana 3:30 21:30 Ashgabat 4:12 20:28 Baku 4:20 21:10 Bishkek 3:06 20:43 Grozny 3:10 20:41 Dushanbe 3:01 19:55 Kazan 2:43 21:23 Maykop 3:21 21:09 Makhachkala 3:06 20:30 Moscow 3:03 22:14 Nazran 3:15 20:48 Nalchik 3:18 20:53 Simferopol 3:26 20:39 Tashkent 3:05 20:05 Ufa 4 : 26 22:46 Circassia 3:17 21:02

ORDER OF URAZ (RUZA)

Download Ramadan Schedule

Every day before fasting, Muslims pronounce their intention (niyat) in approximately the following form: "I intend to fast tomorrow (today) in the month of Ramadan, for the sake of Allah." It is advisable for Muslims to finish their morning meal (suhur) half an hour before dawn and start breaking the fast (iftar) immediately after the break is fast. It is recommended to chat with water, milk, dates, etc.

Every day after the night prayer (isha), Muslims collectively perform the voluntary taraweeh prayer, consisting of 8 or 20 rak'ahs. In the last ten days of the month, the night of al-Qadr begins (the night of power, the night of predestination).

On the first day of the month of Shaval, in honor of the end of Ramadan, the holiday of breaking the fast is held. On this day, Muslims perform the wound in the morning with the Eid prayer (go namoz) and pay the obligatory alms (zakat al-fitr). This holiday is the second most important holiday for Muslims.

BASIS OF THE MONTH OF RAMADAN

A complete rejection of simple human needs, even on the hottest and most exhausting days, provides an opportunity for Muslims to demonstrate the strength of their faith. During fasting, Muslims seek to curb their instincts and passions (nafs). In addition to external cleanliness, in this month the fasting person tries to observe the internal cleanliness more strictly - liberation from all thoughts and actions that defile a person. The fast of a Muslim, whose deeds and thoughts are unclean and not pleasing to God, is considered invalid because "Allah does not need to abstain from eating and drinking the one who has not left a lie." Muslims believe that observing spiritual and bodily fasting during the month of Ramadan is extremely positive for their souls.

Nomenclature in the Qur'an

You should fast for a few days. And if any of you is sick or on the way, then let him fast the same number of days at another time. And those who are able to fast with difficulty should feed the poor man in atonement. And if someone voluntarily performs a good deed, then so much the better for him. But you'd better fast if you only knew! In the month of Ramadan, the Qur'an was revealed - correct guidance for the people, clear evidence of correct guidance and discernment. Anyone of you who is found this month should fast. And if someone is sick or on the way, then let him fast the same number of days at another time. Allah wishes you relief and does not wish you trouble. He wants you to see through a certain number days and magnified Allah because He guided you on the straight path. Perhaps you will be grateful. (Surah Al Bakara).

In this month, Muslims approach the performance of prayers more responsibly than in ordinary months, read the Koran, do good deeds, give out voluntary (sadaqa) and obligatory (zakat) alms. Many Muslims who, for whatever reason, stop performing namaz, most often this month return to the observance of this pillar of Islam. That is why Muslims await Ramadan with awe.

PROHIBITED ACTIONS DURING FAST.

You can't during Lent !!!

The following actions, committed during the daytime, break the fast. including:

Unspoken intention (niyat) to fast; Intentional eating and drinking; Smoking; Sexual intercourse (regardless of whether there was ejaculation or not), masturbation and ejaculation caused by caress; Rectal and vaginal insertion medicines; Swallowing sputum that has entered the mouth; Spontaneous vomiting, in which oral cavity filled with vomit.

NOT FORBIDDEN ACTIONS

Unintentional eating and drinking; Administration of drugs by injection (injections); Blood donation and bloodletting (hijama); Bathing that does not allow water to enter the mouth; Kissing if your partner's saliva is not swallowed; Caress, if they do not lead to ejaculation; Swallowing saliva and phlegm that has not entered the mouth; Brushing your teeth, provided that Toothpaste will not go down the throat; Sivak teeth cleaning. Some theologians consider brushing your teeth in the afternoon undesirable, mentioning the hadith that "the smell from the mouth of a fasting person is dearer to Allah than incense"; Involuntary vomiting; Not performing prayers.

Categories of persons released from office

Not Muslims; Minor children and mentally ill adult Muslims; Old people and sick people who cannot stand fasting and do not hope that their condition will change. In atonement for fasting, they must feed the poor; Pregnant and lactating women in the event that they fear for their health and the health of the child. They must make up for fasting after the disappearance of the reason temporarily relieving them of their duty; Travelers. The traveler is allowed to break his fast, regardless of his physical condition and the complexity of the journey. Women who have menstruation and postpartum cleansing.

It is undesirable for those who do not observe the Ramadan fast to conspicuously eat or smoke during the daytime. In Islamic countries, it is forbidden to eat, drink, smoke, chew gum and loudly play music during fasting in public places.

MANDATORY CONDITIONS.

A prerequisite fasting is the intention (niyat) to do it. The intention is pronounced in the heart and confirmed by language in any language that the fasting person understands. The intention is approximately as follows: "I intend tomorrow (today) to fast the month of Ramadan, for the sake of Allah." The intention is pronounced every day between the night (isha) and morning (fajr) prayer. The intention stated at the beginning of the month for all days of the month of Ramadan is considered invalid in all Sunni madhhabs, except for the Maliki one.

DEBTS:

Breaking the fast during Ramadan, without a valid reason, is considered a sin. According to one of the five pillars of Islam:

For an unintentional violation of the fast for a good reason (serious illness, hyde), a Muslim is obliged to make up for the missed fast with 1 day of fasting or to pay a person in need a certain amount equal to 1 sa of wheat, or food purchased with this amount of money. For a missed post for a good reason, he must keep the fast on any day convenient for him before the onset next month Ramadan. For having intercourse during daylight hours, you must compensate for this day with 60 days of continuous fasting, or feed 60 poor people. In case of impossibility of fasting for reasons permitted by the Shariah, one must repentance.

GOOD IN RAMADAN

According to authentic hadith and the Qur'an, doing good deeds is considered particularly important. According to the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, Allah increases the importance of each of them by 700 times, and the shaytaan is putting chains on this month, so it becomes much easier for Muslims to make them than in other months. In Ramadan, devout Muslims try to spend more time in prayer and reading the Koran, giving alms, and doing other good deeds.

SUKHUR IN RAMADAN

Suhoor is an early morning meal during the month of Ramadan. Food is eaten before prayer - fajr (before dawn). Sukhur and iftar (evening fasting) during Ramadan replace the traditional three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

For Muslims, it is advisable to perform suhoor on the eve of the first signs of dawn, since the reward (sawab) from Allah for fasting in this case will be greater. If the fasting person does not eat before dawn, then his fast remains valid, but he will lose some part of the reward, since he will not perform one of the actions related to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad.

IFHTOR IN RAMADAN MONTH

Iftor is breaking the fast, an evening meal during the month of Ramadan. Held after evening prayer local time. Iftar starts right after sunset. It is undesirable to postpone food intake at a later time. They begin to talk about the Sunnah with dates or water. The Prophet Muhammad said: “When one of you breaks fast, let him break his fast with dates, and if he does not find dates, let him break his fast with water, for it truly cleans”.

After performing Iftar, the following prayers (dua) are recited:

“O Lord, I fasted for You (for the sake of Your pleasure with me) and, using Your benefits, I broke my fast. I hope in you and believe in you. Forgive me, O One, Whose mercy is unlimited. Praise be to the Almighty, Who helped me to fast and fed me when I broke my fast. "

“O Allah (O Lord)! For the sake of your pleasure with me, I fasted, believed in you, relied on you and made the fast, using your gifts. Forgive me past and subsequent sins, O All-Forgiving! "

TAROVIKH IN RAMADAN

Taraweeh (break, rest, respite) is a voluntary prayer (namaz), which is performed after the obligatory night prayer (isha) and lasts until dawn. The taraweeh prayer is performed both individually and collectively. The word "taraweeh" - plural from the Arabic word "tarviha", which means "rest" in Russian. Prayer is called so because after every four rak'ahs, those who pray sit rest, praising the Lord or listening to the edification of the imam.

At the time of the Prophet Muhammad, the taraweeh was performed from 8 and 20 rak'ahs, but the taraweeh, consisting of twenty rak'ahs, was finally approved by the caliph Umar with the consent of the Sahaba. According to the opinion of 4 Sunni madhhabs, the taraweeh prayer is performed in 20 rak'ahs (10 prayers for 2 rak'ahs). It is performed every day throughout the month of Ramadan after the night prayer (isha). During the time of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, after every four rak'ahs, there was a short break, during which they praised and remembered Allah or read a short sermon.

The last ten days of Ramadan

In the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslims are most zealous in their worship. At this time, it is recommended to stay in mosques (itikaf) following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who retired in a mosque for ten days, and in Last year secluded his life for twenty days. A prerequisite for solitude in a mosque is to pronounce the intention (niyat): "I intend to stay in itikaaf in this mosque in order to get closer to Allah." When leaving the mosque, the intention is renewed. On these days, the night of al-Qadr is expected (the night of power, the night of predestination).

Night al-Qadr (Laylatul Qadr)

The night of predestination (Layla-tul Qadr), also the Night of al-Qadr, the Night of Power. It is believed that the 27th night of the month of Ramadan in honor of the opening of the surah "Inna Anzalnagu" to Muhammad in 610 in the Hira cave of the Jabal al-Nur mountain. That night, according to Islamic sources, the Archangel Jabrail appeared to the praying Muhammad and, pointing to the scroll, said: "Read!" (Koran!). The night of predestination is celebrated at the end of the ninth month of Ramadan. On the Night of Predestination, it is customary to ask for forgiveness from God for the sins committed and to read the Koran.

HOLIDAY URAZ (RAMAZAN)

On the first day of the month Shawval, that is, on the 30th or 31st day of the month. Ramadan in honor of the end of Ramadan, the holiday of breaking the fast Eid al-Fitr (Eid al-Bayram) is held. On this day, Muslims perform the Eid Prayer (Go Namoz) and pay the obligatory alms (zakat al-fitr).

Zakot al-fitr (alms of breaking the fast) - alms that must be paid to needy Muslims before the Ramadan holiday. Paying zakat al-fitr is a mandatory act (wajib) for Muslims. The head of the family pays alms for all members of his family who are in his care. If a baby is born after sunset last day month of Ramadan, then zakat al-fitr is not paid for it.

Zakat al-fitr can be paid to an authorized person in the mosque, or personally to those in need. The amount of charity is 1 caa of free-flowing substances common in the area where it is paid. For example, in Europe it is recommended to pay with wheat and barley, in Southeast Asia - with rice, in the Middle East - with dates. Saa is a measure of weight equal to 3500 g (in the Hanafi madhhab), or 2.176 g (in the rest of the Sunni madhhab). In the Hanafi madhhab, half a saa is paid. Zakat al-Fitr is best paid in the form of food, as was done during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. The payment of alms in cash is allowed in the Hanafi madhhab.

The purpose of paying zakat al-fitr is atonement (kafarra) for possible mistakes and omissions made during the month of fasting, as well as helping the poor and those in need of celebrating the holiday of Uraza (Eid al-fitr) together with other Muslims.

Ramadan greetings and calendar

The month of fasting for Muslims is a joyful event with which they congratulate each other with the words Ramazani Kareem (I wish you a generous Ramadan!) Or Ramadan Mubarak (blessed Ramadan!). The traditional wishes for this month are the words "May Allah please your eyes in Ramadan with sweet evenings and the friendship of the elect, the mercy of the All-Forgiving and the paradise of the pious!" The fasting person also wants Allah to accept his fast.

The beginning of each month of the Islamic - lunar calendar is the day after the new moon. Moon calendar shorter than the Gregorian calendar by about 10 days, so every year the start date of Ramadan is shifted by about 10-11 days back relative to the modern calendar. It should also be borne in mind that in some Muslim countries the first day of Ramadan is determined by astronomical calculations, and in others - by direct observation of the moon, or can be determined based on the announcement of authoritative people in the Muslim world. In this regard, the beginning of a religious holiday may differ depending on the host country or weather conditions.

Forecast for the beginning of the month of Ramadan in the coming years:

dateDays of the week 06.06.2016 Monday 27.05.2017 Sunday 17.05.2018 Thursday 06.05.2019 Monday 24.04.2020 Friday 13.04.2021 Tuesday 02.04.2022 Saturday 23.03.2023 Wednesday 11.03.2024 Monday 01.03.2025 Friday

Eid Muborak (Eid Mubarak!)

The holy Muslim month of Ramadan (Ramadan), in 2017, begins on the evening of May 25 with sunset. That is, from the night of the specified date ...

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There is a holy month in the Muslim faith called Ramadan (which can also be called the month of Ramadan) - a time when you need to adhere to strict fasts and follow certain prohibitions. According to the Qur'an, Ramadan is one of the five pillars that hold Islam and faith in Allah. Muslims live according to the Islamic calendar, which is much shorter than the Gregorian one.

The start and end dates of Ramadan are determined depending on the shift. Ramadan corresponds to the ninth lunar month... The Muslim holy month does not have exact dates and every year its beginning moves by about 10 days. Muslim Ramadan in 2017 will begin closer to summer and will last for almost a month. True Muslims will be able to fully give glory to Allah and show their humility from May 27 to June 25.

Origin

The history of the appearance of the holiday is beautiful and mysterious. It says that on the holy day, the prophet Muhammad was revealed "frank words" indicating the mission of the prophet. At the same time, Allah granted the Muslims the Koran.

Tradition tells us that on the day of the beginning of Ramadan, Allah fulfills all the requests of the believers. On the first day of the holy month, the Islamic God is open to determine the fate of people in the most prosperous way.

The term "Ramadan" was first mentioned in 610. Literally Ramadan means "sultry", "hot". This is a mandatory fast, which strictly prohibits smoking, drinking (water and, moreover, alcohol) and even eating during the daytime. It is especially difficult to comply with the ban on water in hot countries, when the daytime air temperature can rise to 50 degrees.

Muslims call the fast "mubarak", which translates as "blessed". It has long been believed that the value of any good deed performed during the sacred month increases by a couple of hundred times. For example, a small pilgrimage (the Muslims call it “umrah”) is equated in value with a visit to Mecca (or, in Muslim, Hajj). Voluntary prayer during this time is also rewarded as obligatory prayer.

The Ramadan holiday received its special status as early as 622. Since then, every year all devout Muslims have been fasting in Ramadan, observing every covenant and rule. Every day they have to recite niyat - a special intention that sounds like this: "I am going to fast Ramadan in the name of Allah." Even at night, collective prayers can be held.

Strict fasting in Ramadan

The fast that accompanies Ramadan is called Uraza. Devout Muslims strictly follow the rules and prohibitions of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. If we compare the post of Uraz among Muslims and Great post among Christians, the former seems practically impracticable. However, this is a delusion, since Muslims happily and completely willingly refuse human benefits and pleasures, they do not consider the limitation in such things to be something supernatural.

Almost everyone adheres to strict rules and tough prohibitions, as they help believers learn tolerance and learn to understand the strength of their bodies.

The dominant foundations of the post of Uraz:

Complete refusal of food and water during the day. The first meal must be taken even before the first rays of the sun, and the last - after sunset. The first and second (last) meals are called suhoor and iftar, respectively. Sukhur must be completed half an hour before dawn, and iftar begins immediately after the evening prayer. The Qur'an says that the best food for iftar is water and dates. Suhoor and Iftar can also be skipped. This is not a violation of the strict Uraz. However, adherence to suhoor and iftar is encouraged by spiritual rewards.
Strict refusal to have sex. This also applies to Muslim spouses. In addition to intimacy, petting and other activities that favor arousal are also prohibited.
By fasting, smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, and drug use are prohibited. It is important that during the Uraz faithful Muslims cleanse their body and soul, therefore, the smell of cigarette smoke, narcotic and alcoholic poison should not penetrate into the body of a true believer.
It is absolutely forbidden to lie and use foul language. In particular, it is forbidden to deceive someone and mention Allah while doing so.
You cannot chew gum during the fasting period, induce vomiting by physical means, and put cleansing enemas. In other words, all actions that cleanse the body in an unnatural way are prohibited.
It is also forbidden not to pronounce niyat.

Fasting is not broken:

donating blood;
injections;
swallowing saliva;
kisses;
teeth cleaning;
vomiting (involuntary);
not performing prayers.

Who can avoid fasting:

children;
pregnant or lactating women;
sick people;
aged people;
travelers.

End of Ramadan

During Ramadan, it is customary to completely limit oneself in pleasures and entertainment. In the daytime, Muslims are supposed to work, pray, and read the Koran. Doing good deeds is an unshakable tradition of the holiday.

The last ten days of Ramadan are much more important than the rest, since at this time a revelation from Allah descended on the Prophet Muhammad. Although exact date This event is unknown, Muslims celebrate its anniversary at night from the 26th to the 27th day of the holy month. Muslims call this holiday Laylatul-Kadr, which literally translates as “the night of predestination”. During this blessed time, believers pray persistently, repent of their sins and reflect on their own mistakes.

On the last day of Ramadan, the followers of Islam give alms to mandatory perform Eid namaz (solemn prayer). Here and there the words of greeting “Eid Mubarak!” Are heard, which means “Blessed holiday!”. The fast of Ramadan ends on the holiday of Eid al-Adha, which is one of the most important Islamic holidays.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which it was revealed Holy quran, in 2018 in most Muslim countries will start on May 17.

For Muslims, this is the holy month of fasting and spiritual cleansing, it is the most important and significant of all periods of the year.

With the onset of Ramadan, every devout Muslim must begin fasting, as well as perform a number of necessary preparations and religious observances.

The meaning and essence of fasting

Sacred fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, which must be observed without fail from morning prayer to evening prayer. In Islam, this type of worship pursues the goal of bringing believers closer to Allah. When Prophet Muhammad was asked, "What is the best thing?" He replied, "Fasting, for nothing compares to it."

Fasting is not only abstinence from food and drink, but also abstinence from sins, therefore the essence of fasting is to cleanse a person from vices and passions. Refusal from vicious desires during the month of Ramadan helps a person to refrain from doing everything forbidden, which in the future will lead him to purity of actions not only during fasting, but throughout his life.

So, the essence of Ramadan is the cultivation of fear of God in a person, which keeps a person from any obscene deed.

The righteous believe that in addition to abstaining from food, drink and passion, fasting also includes abstaining from all obscene parts of the body, since without this the fast will be ruined, and the reward will be canceled.

Fasting also helps a person to control negative emotions and qualities such as anger, greed, hatred. The essence of fasting is that it helps a person to fight with the overwhelming passions and control their desires.

Ramadan in 2018 begins on May 17 with sunset and ends on June 15 in the evening, after which the holiday Eid al Fitr (the Turkic name "Eid al-Fitr") will begin.

Ramadan, in different Muslim countries, can begin at different times, and it depends on the method of astronomical calculation or direct observation of the phases of the moon.

How to fast

Fasting begins at the beginning of dawn and ends after sunset. During the month of Ramadan, devout Muslims refuse to eat during the day.

In Islam, there are two night meals: suhoor - before dawn and iftar - in the evening. It is advisable to complete the Sukhur at least half an hour before dawn, but iftar should be started immediately after the evening prayer.

According to the Qur'an, the best food for a night's fast is water and dates. Skipping suhoor and iftar is not a violation of the fast, but adherence to these meals is rewarded with an additional reward.

Suhoor

The importance of the morning meal is evidenced by the following words of the Prophet Muhammad: “Eat before dawn on the days of fasting! Indeed, in suhoor - God's grace(barracks)! "

Throughout Ramadan morning reception Muslims spend their food even before dawn. They believe that Allah will reward very much for such an action. Do not overeat during traditional suhoor, but should eat enough food. Sukhur gives strength for the whole day.

Iftar

The evening meal should be started immediately after sunset, that is, after the last day (or the fourth, penultimate prayer on this day).

After iftar, isha follows - the night prayer of Muslims (the last of the five obligatory daily prayers). It is not recommended to postpone iftar, as it will be bad for the body.

So that in a few hours summer night do not overload the stomach and at the same time recharge with energy for a long hungry day, it is not recommended to drink food immediately with water, diluting the gastric juice. You need to drink in about an hour, when you feel thirsty.

Do's and Don'ts on Ramadan Fasting

During suhoor, doctors recommend eating complex carbohydrates - cereal dishes, sprouted grain bread, vegetable salad. Complex carbohydrates provide the body with energy, moreover, they are digested for a long time. Also suitable are dried fruits - dates, nuts - almonds and fruits - bananas.

You should refuse protein food in the morning - it takes a long time to digest, but loads the liver, which works without interruption during fasting. Don't drink coffee. In the morning, you should not eat fried, smoked, fatty foods - they will cause an extra load on the liver and kidneys. In the morning, you should also give up fish - after it you will want to drink.

In the evening, it is not advisable to take fatty and fried foods. It will harm your health - cause heartburn, be deposited in extra pounds. You need to exclude instant food from the evening meal - various cereals in bags or noodles, since they will not saturate and literally in an hour or two you will want to eat again. In addition, these foods will increase your appetite even more, as they contain salt and other spices.

It is better to exclude sausages and sausages from the diet during the Ramadan fast. Sausages affect the kidneys and liver, satisfy hunger for only a few hours, and can also develop thirst.

Children, sick people, pregnant and lactating women, travelers, warriors and old people who are physically unable to fast are exempted from Ramadan. But it is obligatory to reimburse the fast in another, more favorable period.

A month of patience and education of the spirit

Fasting is not only abstinence from food, drink and sexual intercourse from the beginning of dawn to sunset, but also spiritual cleansing. A Muslim who observes a fast in the month of Ramadan educates his spirit and learns to be patient by resisting base desires and refusing bad words and actions.

It is important to perform the five-fold daily prayer (prayer) on time, which mainly consists of reciting the verses of the Koran and praising God at the same time as taking various postures.

The five times in which worship should be performed correspond to the five parts of the day and the distribution different types human activities: dawn, noon, afternoon, end of day and night.

With the onset of Ramadan, it is customary for Muslims to congratulate each other in words or in the form of cards, because this holiday is the moment of the birth of the holy book of the Koran, which plays a special role in the life of every believer.

Material prepared on the basis of open sources

With the onset of Ramadan, every devout Muslim must begin fasting, as well as perform a number of necessary preparations and religious observances. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which the Holy Quran was revealed, began on May 27 in 2017 in most Muslim countries.

Sacred fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, which must be observed without fail from morning prayer to evening by every devout Muslim. In Islam, this type of worship pursues the goal of bringing believers closer to Allah. When Prophet Muhammad was asked, "What is the best thing?" He replied, "Fasting, for nothing compares to it."

Fasting begins at the beginning of dawn and ends after sunset. During the month of Ramadan, devout Muslims refuse to eat during the day.

According to the Koran, the best food for a night's fast is water and dates, informs the site. Skipping suhoor and iftar is not a violation of the fast, but adherence to these meals is rewarded with an additional reward.

During suhoor, doctors recommend eating complex carbohydrates - cereal dishes, sprouted grain bread, vegetable salad. Complex carbohydrates provide the body with energy, moreover, they take a long time to digest. Also suitable are dried fruits - dates, nuts - almonds and fruits - bananas.

During iftar, you can eat meat and vegetable dishes, cereal dishes, in a small amount of sweets, which can be replaced with dates or fruits. You need to drink plenty of water. You can also drink juice, fruit drink, compote, tea and jelly. In the evening, it is not advisable to take fatty and fried foods. It will harm your health - cause heartburn, be deposited in extra pounds.

In order not to overload the stomach in a few hours of a summer night and at the same time recharge with energy for a long hungry day, it is not recommended to drink food immediately with water, diluting the gastric juice. You need to drink in about an hour, when you feel thirsty.

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